Mining machine



June 30, 1925. 1,544,067

M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE:

Original Filed March 22, 1918 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 1918 '8 Sheets-Sheet 2 M.P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Original Filed March 22,

June 30, 1925.

June 30, 1925. 1,544,067

M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Original Filed March 22. 1918 8 Sheets-Sheet5 June 30, 1925.

- 1,544,067 M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Original Filed March 22, 191 8sheets sheet A June 0, 1925.

Original Filed March 22, 1918 M; P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE 8Sheets-Sheet, 5

Z 7.9 I a 15 28 I i 7 43 4 June 30, l25. 1,544,067

M. P. HOLMES MIN ING MACHINE Original Filed March 22, .1918 8 sheets shet 6 June 30, 1925.

1,544,067 M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Original Filed March 22. 1918 8Sheets-Sheet 7 W P f-P'r *1: I *1! '77} I H 1' A! l' {I I s E r June 30,1925.

M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Original Filed r h 22. 1918 B ////v//V///////////////// 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 MORRIS I. HOLMES, OF CLAREMON'I, NEW

MACHINERY COMPANY, A COR 1,544,067 OFFICE.

HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOB TO SULLIVAN PORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

PATENT MINING nacnmn.

Application illed Iarch 22, 1918, Serial No. 224,072.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Moms P. HOLMES, a

.citizen of the United Statesa residing at Claremont, in the county ofSullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented certam new and usefulImprovements in Mining Machines, of which the following is a fu 1,clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to mining machines, and especially to machines ofthe chain'cutter t pe, which are fed along the face in whic the cut isbeing made, and has for its general objects to improve and render moreflexible, convenient, reliable, and efiicient the mechanism for feedingthe-machine and the means for controlling said feeding mechanism; moreparticular objects being to render sald feedln mechanismcapable of pro-'pelling the mac ine at any one of a plurallty of speeds and in eitherdirection with equal faciliity, to provide means whereby the feedingmechanism may be caused to turn the machine as well as propel the same,to provide improved automatic releasing means for insuring the mechanismagainst breakage 'in case of overload, and also to coordinate thecontrolling devices in such a manner as to reduce to a minimum thepossibility of improper operation of the appa ratus.

The foregoin and other objects of the invention, toget er with meanswhereby the same may be carried into effect, will best beunderstood'from the following description of certain forms orembodiments thereof shown for purposes of illustration in theaccompanyin drawings.

In sald rawings, 4

Fig. 1 is a plan' view of the complete machine with the cutter barpartly broken awa s Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the parts shown inFig. 1 with the side of the gear casing partly broken away.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the transmissionmechanism.

Fi 5 is a transverse vertical section substantially on the line 5-5 ofFig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a partial longitudinal vertical sectiorioii the line 66 ofFig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section substantially on the line 7-7 ofFig. 4.

Fig. 8. is an elevation of the upper part of Renewed Kay 12, 1823.Serial lio. 552,508.

the machine as viewed from the line 8-8 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a detail vertical section substantially on the line 9-9 ofFig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a detail horizontal section of the overload releasing devicetaken substantially on the line 10-1O of Figs. 6 and 7.

Flg. 11 is a detail verticalsection substantially on the line 1111 of Fi 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary orizontal sectional view showing a modifiedform of overloading releasin device.

Fig. 13 is a "detail vertical section of a further modification.

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of themachine.

Fi 15 is a fragmentary plan view show in t e means for turning themachine.

ig. 16 is a detail illustration of the connecting member shown in Fig.15.

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic view of another sumping arrangement adaptedtouse under certain conditions.

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic view of still another arrangement for sumping.

Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic view of a preferred arran ment for finishing arib, showing the mac line in two positions.

ig. 20 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 14 showing one arrangementwhen cutting in the opposite direction, i. e. from left to right.

In Figs. 1 and 2 is illustrated a mining machine of the familiar roomand illar type. This machine, as is usual in mac ines of its type, comrises a body from the forward end of w the rear end of [ch projects afixed cutter bar 22 carrying a cuter chain 23, said body comprising amotor casing 20 and a gear casing 21 and having at lts bottom a shoe orbase plate 24 upon which the machine is slid across the mine floor, asthe cut progresses. Within the motor casing 20 is an electric or othermotor 25 which operates, through transmission mechanism hereinafterdescribed, to actuate the cutter chain 23 and the feeding means for theapparatus, said feeding means includinga feed chain 26 secured at itsends, as at A and B, Fig. 14, to suitable jacks or other securin devicesat opposite ends of the path of trave of the machine, said chain passingover a guide roller or sprocket 27 at the rear of the machine, a feedsprocket 28 within the easing 21, and guide rollers or sprockets 29 and110 30 at the side of the machine adjacent the rear and front endsthereof, respectively. The parts thus far referred to, as to their neralorganization, arrangement, and fiinction, are well known in the art.

In accordance with the present invention, two pairs of guide rollers orsprockets 29, 30 are provided, one at each side of the machine, and witheither, pair of which the single feed chain 26 may be engaged, saidchain bein, in both positions, operated by the same feed sprocket 28,which may be driven, through the medium of improved reversible actuatingmechanism hereinafter described, in either direction, thereby causingsaid chain to propel the machine across the mine floor in eitherdirection; the feed chain during transverse or laterai cutting fromright to left having its advance portion extended from the feed sprocketor feed operating member 28 around the left hand rear guide 29 andforward to the front left hand guide 30 and then laterally therefrom toa fixed point at the left hand rib, while its receding portion extendsfrom the feed operating member 28 around the rear guide 27 and laterallytherefrom to the right hand rib, and the construction also being suchthat when it is desired to reverse the arrangement to permit cuttingfrom left to right, the receding portion may be readily and quicklyextended around the right hand rear guide 29 and forward therefrom andaround the right hand front guide 30 to the right hand rib as theadvance portion, while the advance portion may be passed from the feedoperatin member 28 around the left guide 29 and laterally to the lefthand rib as the receding portion.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 5 the shaft 31 of the motor 25 is providedwith a beveled gear 32 which meshes with a beveled gear 33 secured to ahub 39 which is in turn splined to a vertical shaft 34 journaled insuitable bearings 35 and 36 carried, respectively, by the base of thecasing 21 and by a cap piece 37 supported b suitable framing 38 withinsaid casing. he hub 39 of the gear 33 is further journaled in a bearing40 supported by said frame 38. Mounted on the shaft 34 for rotationtherewith, is a pinion 41 which meshes with a truck drivin gear 42loosely mounted on a vertical sha t 43 fixed in the casing 21 andframing 38. The gear 42 is formed with a hub 44 on which is mounted asprocket 45 for driving the cutter chain 23, said sprocket being adaptedto be clutched to said hub b means of suitable clutch mechanism inicated by the numeral 46. Such clutch mechanism, being usual in machinesof this type, requires no detailed description herein.

Loosely mounted on the shaft 34 is a clutch member 47 having an internalclutch face engaged by friction clutch members or shoes 48 connected bytoggle links 49 with a clutch controller 50 havin asplinedconnectionwith the shaft 34. %'Iovement of the controller 50toward the-member 47 causes the toggle links 49 to force the shoes 48outwardly against the clutch face of themember 47, thereby frictionallyconnecting said member to the shaft 34. The controlling member 50 isnormally pressed toward the clutch member 47 by means of a spring 51hearing at one end against an interior shoulder on the member 50 and atits opposite end a ainst a nut 52 on the threaded end of the s aft 34,whereb the tension of said spring may be adjusted In the operation ofthe friction device last described, the member 47 is caused normally torotate with the shaft 34, but is permitted to yield or slip on saidshaft should an unusual resistance be encountered. The resistanceopposed by said device against such yielding or slipping is determinedby the force with which the member 50 is pressed toward member 47 by thespring 51 or by other means hereinafter referre to.

The hub of the member 47 is formed with a pinion 53 which meshes with agear 54 (see also Fig. 4) rotatably mounted on a carrier 55 having anannu ar portion movably mounted in a circular guide on the upper face ofthe cap piece 37 concentric with the shaft 34, said carrier beinretained in said guide by means of an annu ar gib 56 (see Fig. 5) boltedto said cap piece. The gear 54 meshes with a gear 57, also rotatablymounted in the carrier 55, said carrier being angularly movable in itside in the cap piece 37 to cause either 0 the gears 54 or 57 toengageand rotate a gear 58 (see also Fig. 6), thereby causing said gear to berotated in one direction or the other according to the adjustment of thecarrier 55. Said ear 58 is keyed to a sleeve 59 secured to a sleeve 66rotatably mounted on a vertical or upright shaft 60, suitably fixed inthe casing 21. For shifting the carrier 55 to cause the gear 58 to bedriven directly in one direction by the gear 54 or in the oppositedirection through the gears 54 and 57,

said carrier is connected by a link 61 (Figs. 4 and 9) with a lever 62pivoted at 63 to a suitable bracket secured to the casing and extendingto the rear end of said casing where it is provided with a suitableoperating handle 64. Latches 65 are preferably provided to lock thehandle 64 in its two extreme positions corresponding to the twopositions of adjustment of the carrier 55.

The sleeve 66 (see Fig. 6) is formed at its lower end as an eccentric 67which operates through difierential reduction gearing to rotate at agreatly reduced speed a gear 68 loosely mounted on said sleeve 66, saiddifferential gearing being epicyclic and comprising a sleeve surroundingsaid eecentric and having small and large gear portions 69 and 70meshing, respectively,

with a fixed internal gear 71 secured to the casing and a largerrotatable internal gear 72 secured to a flange .73 on a sleeve 74 towhich said gear 68 is keyed or otherwise secured for rotation therewith.The gear 68 meshes with a gear 75 loosely mounted on a vertical shaft 76secured at its ends in the casing 21, said gear 75 having a clutch face77 adapted to be engaged by a cooperating clutch face on a sleeve 78longitudinally and rotatabl mounted on the shaft 76. The sleeve 78 isformed with a toothed portion constituting a pinion 79 which meshes witha gear 80 (see Fi 2, 3, and 4), fast to the hub of the fee sprocket 28,which sprocket is rotatably mounted on the upright shaft 43.

By the connections above described, it will be seen that the feedsprocket 28 may be rotated in either direction to cause the feed chain26 to feed the machine in either direction, according to the adjustmentof the carrier 55 and the arrangement of said chain about the rollers orsprockets 27, 29, and 30, as above explained. In order to provide for anincreased speed of rotation of the feed sprocket 28 and acorrespondingly increased rate of travel of the machine, the followingtransmission mechanism, 0perative alternatively with a portion of themechanism last described, is provided:

The sleeve 59 to which the gear 58 is keyed constitutes the hub of apinion 81 (see Figs. 4 and 6) which meshes with a gear 82connected bymechanism presently to be described with a clutch member 83 having aclutch face 84 adapted to be engagedby a cooperating clutch face on theend of the sleeve 78 opposite that engaging the clutch face 77 on thegear 75. By moving the sleeve 78 lon itudinally to cause one or theother of the c utch faces on the ends thereof to engage the clutch face77 or the clutch face 84, the pinion 79, which drives the feed sprocket28 through the gear 80, may be connected with either the gear 75 or thegear 82, thereby causin said feed sprocket to be driven from t e gear 58either at a slow speed through the differential gearing 69, 70, etc.,and gears 68 and 75. or at an increased speed through the pinion 81 andgear 82. In order that said clutch sleeve 78 may be convenientlyshifted, said sleeve is formed with a groove 85 engaged by studs on afork 86 fast on a rock shaft 87 journaled in brackets secured to thecasing 21, said rock shaft having fast thereon an arm 88 connected by alink 89 to an eccentric pin 90 on a stud 91 rotatably mounted in thecasing and provided with an operating handle 92. With the handle 92 inthe position shown in Fig. 4, the mechanism is adjusted to produce aslow feed of the apparatus, while b moving said handle 92 into adiametrical y opposite position the gea'ing may be shifted to producethe fast When the relatively fast feed is employed, the frictionmechanism employed for yieldingly connecting the shaft 34 and pinion 53may advantageously'be adjusted to oppose an increased resistance againstyieldlng or slipping of the parts than when the slow speed is employed,and for the purpose of conveniently providing for such'increasedresistance the following mechanism for loading the friction device isemployed, reference being had particularly to Figs. 4 and 5.

Rotatably mounted on the clutch controlling member 50, as byvananti-friction bearing 93, is a ring or collar 94 having trunnions towhich are pivoted arms 95 on a rock shaft 96 journaled in suitablebearings on the casing 21 and having secured to its end a hand lever 97.The arms 95 are normally fixed to the shaft 96, being, for reasonshereinafter explained; preferably secured thereto by means permitting aslight angular adjustment of said arms on said shaft, said meanscomprising a hub 98 keyed to the shaft and car mg a rotatable stud 99having eccentric en d portions 100 engaging slots in extensions 101 onsaid arms whereby rotation of said pin, as by means of an implementinserted in one of the openings 102 therein, may be caused to produce aslight.

angular movement of said arms on said shaft. The pin 99 is normally heldagainst rotation in the hub 98 by means of set screws 103.

By lifting up on the hand lever 97, the arms 95 may be caused to pressdownwardly upon the ring 94, thereby supplementing the action of thespring 51 and causing the shoes 48 to engage the clutch surface on themember 47 with an increased pressure. For purposes of safety, it isdesirable that this loading of the friction be prevented when themechanism is adjusted to produce a slow feed, and to this end aninterlock is provided between the levers 92 and 97, said interlockcomprising an extension 104 on the lever 97, which overlies an extendedportion 105 of the lever 92, whereby when said lever 92 is in theposition to ad ust the transmission mechanism for a slow feed, as shownin Figs. 1, 4, and 8, said extension 105, by engaging the extension 104,will prevent manipulation of the lever 97 to increase the friction.

Similarly, it is desirable that means he provided for preventing achange in the friction during the operation of shifting the reversinggearing, and to this end an interlock is also provided between thelevers 97 and 64,.said interlock comprising a lip 106 (see Figs. 4 and9) on the lever 97 which is engaged by a hooked lug 107 on the lever 64except when said last named lever is in one of its extreme positions.

Here it will also be noted that thru the provision of the lip 106 andhooked lug 107 means are also provided to lock the lever 64 againstmovement prior to movement of the lever 97, the lip 106 normally beingdisposed in the same plane with the lug 107 in such a manner as to.prevent movement of the lever 64 until the lever 97 is depressed intoits friction releasing position shown in Fig. 9. Movement of the lever64:. to an intermediate position during the shifting of the reversinggearing causes the lug 107 to overlie the lip 106, thereby locking thelever 97 against operation. The arms 95 may be so angularly adjusted onthe rock shaft 90, by the means heretofore referred to. as to securesuch a positioning of the lever 97 as will permit the proper cooperationof the interlocking devices above described.

Since manipulation of the lever 97 causes an increase in the drivingtension limited only by the strength of the operator, it is desirablethat automatic releasing means be provided to insure the mechanismagainst breakage in case of overload, such means being preferablyinterposed between the gear 82 and sleeve 83 and forming transmissionelements of the fast feed mechanism. Referring to Figs. 6, 10, and 11,the upper face of the gear 82 is formed with a circular recess, theannular wall of which is provided with notches 108 formed'with inclinedwalls. Located in the recess in the gear-82 and keyed to the sleeve 83,is a disk 109 having recesses in which are slidably mounted a series ofplungers 110 normally impelled outwardly by springs 111 located in saidrecesses behind said plungers. As shown in Fig. 10, said plungers arearranged inoppositely inclined pairs and are provided with ends formedsubstantially to it the notches 103. The plungers of one pair areadapted positively but releasabl to transmit motion from the gear 82totlie disk 109 when said gear is rotated in one direction, while theplungers of the other pair are adapted similarly to transmit motion fromthe gear to the disk when said gear is rotated in the oppositedirection. Assuming the direction of rotation of the gear 82 to be asindicated by the arrow in Fig. 10, it will be seen that the directthrust of the walls of the notches or recesses 108 against the ends ofthe plungers 110 designated by the letter b, will be such as to forcesaid pluugers inwardly against the tension of their springs 111, whereasthe walls of the recesses 108 exert a wedging action upon the plungersdesignated by the letter a. permitting said plungers to remain in theoperative position shown and provide a positive driving connectionbetween the gear 82 and disk 109. When, however, the pressure uponplungers a becomes excessive, the cam action of the walls of therecesses upon the ends of said plungers will cause said plungers to beforced inwardly against the tension of their springs, therebydisconnecting the gear 82 and disk 109. Similarly, it the gear 82 berotated in the opposite direction, the plungers a will becomeinoperative and the plungers b operative.

In order to permit the pressure exerted by the springs 111 upon theplungers 110 to be varied, said springs preferably cugage followers 112in threaded engagement with screws 113 abutting against the rear facesof said plungers, whereby rotation of said screws will permit saidfollowers to be moved away from the rear faces of the plungers. therebyincreasing the tension of the springs.

Instead of arranging the pluugers 110 in oppositely inclined pairs. saidplungers may be radially arranged and provided with oppositely inclinedfaces. as shown at 11 1 in Fig. 12. As in the construction firstdescribed, th'c plungers ll-l are backed by springs 111 bearing againstfollowers 11; carried by screws 113 abutting the inner faces of theplungers 114.

A further modification is shown in Fig. 13 whercin the plungcrs compriseballs llfs backed by followers 110 against which bear springs 11? theopposite ends of which act against followers 118 adjustably connectedwith the bottoms of the recesses 119 in the disk 109 by abutment screws120.

It will be understood by those familiar with the art that, in the normaloperation of the machine, as said machine is fed along the wall beingcut, it is held by the feeding means in a position substantially atright angles to said wall, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 14. Asthe end of the cut is approached, however, it is desirable to swing orturn the machine from its normal position to cause the end of the cutterbar to cut to a point substantially in alinement with the rib, asindicated in full lines in Fig. 14, in order to produce a straight. rib.A similar turning movement of the machine is also frequently desirableat other points in the travel thereof across the wall. as. for example,in cutting out an obstruction. or for other purposes. The presentinvention. therefore. comprises means whereby the feeding mechanism maybe caused. at will. to swing or turn the machine out of its perpcndicuiar position with respect to the wall as well as to propel thesame along said wall. To this end. in the construction shown. means areprovided for so connecting tinfood chain '20 with the rear guidesprocket 27 as to prevent said sprockel l'roln paying out said chain. i.e.. to arrest relative movement of said sprocket and chain in a direcofthe machine,

tion longitudinally of the latter, while continuing thev feeding actionof the feed sprocket 28 upon said chain and the movement of the latterwith respect to the guide sprockets 29 and 30. As s own in Figs. 14 and15, said means comprises a connecting member 125 having at its oppositeends hooks 126 and 127 adapted, respectively, to engage a convenientlink of t e chain 26 and a hub 128 on the sprocket 2?. For conveniencein use said hooks are preferably disposed in planes formin an angle ofap roximately 90 ,with eac other, as shown in detail in Fig. 16. Withthe member 125 in place, as shown in Fig. 15 and in full lines in Fig.14, as the feed sprocket 28 draws in upon the forward end of the chain26, said chain, by engagement with the guide sprocket or roller 30,causes the forward end of the machine to continue its advance, whereasthe advance of the rear end of the machine is arrested by its connectionwith the rear end of thechain, so that said machine is turned from theosition shown in dotted lines in Fi 14 into the position shown in fulllines t erein.

In the use of my improved construction, it will be noted that themachine may cut laterally, with equal facilit from right to left or fromleft to right, t e operation being the same in each, case and the onlychange necessary to permit reversal being the reversal of the motor andthe cutter bits and the reversal of the flexible feeding means relativeto the guides 29 and 30. Thus in either direction of cut the portionselected as the advance portion leads oif from the front end of theadvancing side while the other portion which their acts as the recedingportion extends laterally from the rear end of the receding sidethereof, and all changing of the flexible portions relative to theirfeed operating means is made unnecessary. Inasmuch as a description ofthe sumping cut at one rib and a transverse cut from that rib to theopposite rib will suflice for both, I will accordingly onl describe indetail a sumping cut at the right-hand rib, and the following transverseout. In this connec tion it will be observed that as illustrated at theright in Fig. 14, it is possible, when the machine is unloaded at theface ready to make acut from right to left, to connect the free end ofthe advance portion of the flexible feeding member to the left hand ribat A and to connect the free end of the re'ceding portion of theflexible feeding member to the right hand rib as to a take-up at B andthen, through suitable connection of my improved driving mechanism forthe feed operating member 28, rotate the latter to draw in the recedingportion at a predetermined slow or cutting speed at the same time thatthe cutter chain driving sprocket 45 is rotated in a counter-clockwisedirection. As a result, the machine moves forward during sumpingrelative to the flexible feeding means from the rearward dotted lineposition illustrated at the right of Fig. 14 toward the forward dottedline position illustrated in that figure. Then after suitably connectingthe member 125 in such manueras to hold the rear end of the machineagainst movement away from the rib by limiting the lengthening of thereceding portion, the machine is straightened in the cut, herein throughswinging the bar end thereof angularly toward the left and through alonger path than the rear end as the machine moves bodily forward, bysimply reversing the direction of rotation of the feed operating member28 through the improved reverse feeding mechanism and without changingthe speed of the feed operating member or the speed or direction ofrotation of the motor, the latter continuing to rotate at full speed andin the same direction. As a result of this reversal of the feedoperating member to draw in the advance portion and the use of themember 125 the machine is thus caused to occupy while near the rib theposition relative to the facadesired during the transverse out hereinillustrated in the central dotted line position of Fig. 14. By thensimply removing the member 125 and taking up the slack, the machine isfree to move transversely as desired at a uniform and predeterminedcuttin speed, the machine being suitably balanced action of theadvancing and receding portions on its opposite ends. Thus, it will beobserved that it is possible to sump the machine and move the sametransversel across the face, with one setting of jacks w ere theoperator is skillful, and with the cutter c ain always rotating in 'thesame direction, and without stopping the motor or without reversing orvarying the speed of the latter. Attention is also directed to the factthat a predetermined cutting speed is obtainable during the sumpingoperation which is herein the same as the cutting speed during atransverse cut, thereby enabl ng the machine to be sumped in this directmanner along the receding portion and moved transversely with only onesetting of the jacks by a skillful operator even in the hardest cutting.Furthermore, it will be noted that at any time desired it is possiblethrough the fast and slow feeds in each direction, not onl to cooperatewith the member 125 to ang e the machine at different speeds whendesirable but also to pull either end of the machine forward or backwardat either high or slow speed during transverse or angling cuttingwhether the member 125 is used or not. It will also be observed thatthrough my improved construction wherein these improved results may beobtained by the fill either when cutting from rightto left or from leftto right, i. e., in either arrangement of the flexible feeding meansrelative to the machine, the advance flexible feeding ortion in cut-tingfrom right to left becoming the receding flexible feeding portion incutting from left to right, while the receding flexible feeding portionin cutting from right to left becomes the advance flexible feedingportion in cutting in the opposite direction and the machine beingmovable relative to the new flexible portions during suniping ortransverse cutting as previously described in connection with cuttingfrom left to right. Here it will also be noted that in this reversearrangement of the flexible feeding portions, each individual portion ineither of its arrangements extends laterally in the same direction,herein from the same side of the machine, although from opposite ends ofthe frame, thus eliminating all ne cessity for crossing the flexiblefeeding portions at the rear of the machine and simplifying theconnections and guiding means necessary at the same time that theflexible feeding ortions are caused to be shortened or lengt iened inthe desired sequence to expedite successive machine movements. It willfurther be noted that at the completion of a cut in either direction,the machine may be angled relative to the face as, for example.illustrated at the left hand side of Fig. H, and that after it hascompleted the out, i. e., backed out of the same at that angle, themachine may be returned to the truck at the opposite rib by simplyfixing either desired end of the flexible feeding member usually the endof the receding portion at a point adjacent the truck and rotating thefeed operating member 28 at high speed in such a direction as to ropelthe machine along the desired portion of the flexible feeding member.

As a result of my improved construction, it is found possible in cuttingin either direction to reduce the number of jack settings whereconditions are favorable, and

under all conditions to reduce the requisite handling of the flexiblefeeding means and otherwise materially to reduce the time requiredduring the cutting operations. Furiher. through the provision of myimproved means whereby the machine may be moved relative to eitherreceding portion at a predetermined cutting speed. it is also madepossible at either rib to sump the machine smoothly and rapidly withthis same simplified connection even in the hardest cutting with entiresafety to the operator. Also, through the use of my improved means forlimiting or inhibiting the paying out of one portion while stillpermitting drawing in of the other portion at different speeds, in thisillustrative construction including themember 125 adapted to cooperatewith either receding portion, it is made possible to straighten themachine during sumping at either rib by a movement of the bar in thesame direction which it takes during the transverse cut and thus furtherexpedite the cutting operation, the only delay incident to thetransition from the sumping cut to the transverse out being thatinvolved in connecting and disconnecting the member 125. Also it will beevident that this same means may be used in other relations where it isdesirable forone portion to be drawn in while the other is retained ofthe same length, as, for example, when swinging the bar around to widena room. Through the provision of the predetermined high speed feedoperable to draw in either portion, it is also made possible to increasethe speed of feed whenever conditions permit while the machine isworking on the face, or whenever desired while movlng over the minebottom. It will also be noted that the manually releasable frictionmechanism includin the operating handle also makes it possibfia, byslipping the friction as needed, to decrease any of the geared feeds asdesired during either cutting or moving whenever it is desirable to meetparticular conditions. Further, it will be noted that this frictionmechanism is automatically releasable to protect the machine wheneverany feed is overloaded. Attention is here also directed to the fact thatin my improved construction when sumping at one or either rib, thereceding portion may whenever desired be passed around the front guidesprocket on the receding side of the machine (Fig. 17) before connectingit to the rib, thereby giving added control for the machine throughminimizing the tendency of the rear end of the machine to swin againstthe rib and thus insuring a straigflter sumping out along the rib. Itwill also beevident that when sumping at one or either rib the advanceportion may if desired be releasedfrom the front guide sprocket on theadvancing side of the machine and lie directly in a relatively tautconnection between the ide sprocket at the rear of that side an the jackat the rib so that it exerts a maximum balancing effect on the rear endof the machine as the latter moves toward the face as the recedingportion is drawn in and the advance port-ion lengthened, Fig. 17, thisarrangement or the arrangement of the advance portion shown in Fig. 14being used with the receding portion in either of its arrangementspreviously described, depending upon the conditions encountered. Forexample, when desired the arrangement may be as shown in Fig. 18 whereinboth portions engage their front guides initially. Attention is alsodirected to Fig. 19 wherein it will be noted that the rib is beingfinished or squared by drawing in the advance ilt . with elementscirculatin of the arrangements shown, it will also be observed that thisjack A may he plaoed'in position for the transverse out before thesumping cut, or starting cut, is made and remain there from thebeginning of the sumping cut to the end of the transverse cuttingoperation. It will also be observed that the, anchor B may remain inposition whenever the receding portion is not passed around its frontguide, provided the posi tion is skillfully selected. As shown in Fig.20 it is also possible for the machine to cut from left to right whenarranged reversely from .the manner shown in Fig. 14. In connection withthis it should also be noted that in either right or left hand cuttingthe sumping or rib finishing arrangements shown in the preceding fi uresmay be used if desired. These and other advantages of my improvedconstruction will however be clearly apparent to those skilled in theart;

A While I have in this application specifically described one form whichmy invention may assume in practice, it will be noted that this form ofthe same has been used .for purposes of illustration and that myinvention or certain features thereof may be modified and embodied invarious other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope ofthe ap ended claims.

What I claim as new and esire to secure by Letters Patent isz 1. A roomand pillar mining machine slidable on the mine bottom com risin a frame,cutting mechanism thereon inclu ing a cutter bar projecting from saidframe in fixed longitudinal relation thereto and carrying a rotatablecutter chain provided in orbits extending longitudinally of sai bar andoperative to cut and clear kerfs, flexible feeding means operativetoeffect feeding movement and-to determine the angular relation of saidmachine to aworking face durin the various cutting operations and incluing advance and receding portions disposable laterally in oppositedirections from the opposite ends of said frame, and feed operating andcutter chain driving means including a motor having a power shaftdisposed longitudinally of said frame and means actuatable by the rearendof said power shaft and disposed wholly to the rear of the front endof said motor and operative to effect circulation of said cutter chainand to wind in said-advance portion and unwind said receding portion tofeed said machine at a predetermined low speed across a face as saidcutter chain is rotated in one direction, said means having provisionfor windin in 7 face.

speed and at another speed, both without reversing the direction of saidcutter chain or motor or alteration in the mode of operative connectionbetween said receding portion of said winding means existing during saidfeed across the a face.

2. A room and pillar mining machine slidable on the mine bottomcomprising a frame, a motor thereon constituting a source of power forcutting and feeding mechanism actuation, cutting mechanism on said frameincluding a cutter bar rojecting from said frame in fixed longitu inalrelation thereto and carrying a rotatable cutter chain provided withelements operative to cut and clear kerfs and circulating in planesubstantially horizontal orbits, flexible feeding means operative toeffect feeding movementjand todetermine the angular relation ofsaidmachine to a working face during the various cutting operations andincluding advance and receding portions disposable laterally in op ositedirections from the opposite ends 0 said frame, and feed operating andcutter chain driving means driven from the same end of said motor andoperativeto wind in the advancing portion and unwind the recedingportion to feed said machine at a predetermined low speed across a faceas said cutter chain is rotated by said motor in one direction, saidmeans having provision for winding in said receding portion at the samepredetermined speed and also at a faster speed substantially in excessof the maximum potential cutting speed of said machine under normalworking conditions, both without reversing the direction of said cutterchain or motor or alteration in the mode of operative connection betweensaid receding portion and said winding means existing during said feedacross the 8. A room slidable on the mine bottom comprising a frame,amotor thereon constituting a source of power for, cutting and feedinmechanism, cuttin mechanism on said rame .includinga p ane cutterbar'projecting from said frame in fixed longitudinal relation theretoand carrying for circulation about its edge in"a horizontal orbit'arotatable cut- -ter chain, flexible feeding means operative ing portionto feed said machine at a re determined low cutting speed across a acepillar mining machine Ila said receding portion at alike predeterminedas said cutter chain is rotated by said motor in one direction, saidmeans having rovi sion for winding in said receding portion at the samepredetermined s eed and also a predetermined faster spee substantiallyin excess of the maximum potential cutting speed of said machineundernormal working conditions both without reversing the direction ofsaid cutter chain or motor or alteration in the mode of operativeconnection between said receding portion and said winding means existingduring said feed across the face.

4. A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprising a frame;cutting mechanism thereon including a cutter bar carrying a rotatablecutter chain, flexible motor in said frame having a lon itudinallyextending armature shaft, feeding means including advance and recedingportions disposable laterally in opposite directions from the oppositeends of said frame, and feed operating and cutter chain driving meansoperative to wind in said advance and unwind said receding portion tofeed said machine at a predetermined low speed across a face as saidcutter chain is rotated in one direction, said means having provisionfor winding in said receding portion without reversin the direction ofsaid outter chain: and sa d feed operating means including an epicyclicgearing through which power may be transmitted to effect winding in ofboth the advance and receding portions.

5. A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprising a frame,cutting mechanism thereon including a rotatable cutter chain, flexiblefeeding means including addance and receding portions disposablelaterally in opposite directions from the op- 'te ends of said frame,and feed operatmg and cutter chain driving means operative to wind insaid advance and unwind said receding portion to feed said machine at apredetermined low speed across the face as said cutter chain is rotatedin one direction, said means having provision for winding in saidreoedin portion at a like predetermined speed wit out reversing thedirection of said cutter chain and said feed operating means includingan epicyclic gearing through which power may be transmitted to effectwinding .in of both the ad Vance and receding portions.

6. In a mining machine, a machine frame, flexible feeding means thereonincluding advenue and receding flexible feeding portions, feed operatingmeans including a feed operating member acting on said receding portion,a motor on said frame, and variable speed driving connections driven bysaid motor and o rable to rotate said feed operating mem er including anepicyclic gearing comprising orbitally movin coaxial gears meshingrespectively wit a reaction gear and a gear driven by the orbitallymoving gear which meshes therewith,

said variable speed gearing being selectively operable to drive saidfeed operating member at difl'erept predetermined speeds to shorten saidreceding portion.

7. In a mining machine, a machine frame, flexible feeding means thereonincluding advance and receding flexible feedin portions, feed operatingmeans including a feed operating member acting on said receding portion,a motor on said frame, and variable speed driving connections driven bysaid motor and operable to rotate said feed operating member including adifferential gearing comprising orbitally moving coaxial gears meshingrespectively with a reaction ear and wit a gear driven by the orbltallymovin' gear which meshes therewith, said varia le speed gearing beingselectively operable to drive said feed operating member at differentredetermined speeds to wind in said reoe ing por tion and a frictiondevice disposed in said variable speed driving mechanism.

8. A mining machine slidable on the mine bottom comprising a frame,cutting mechanism theredn including a cutter bar projecting from saidframe in fixed longltudinal relation thereto and carrying a rotatablecutter chain provided with elements operative to cut and clear kerfs andmoving in orbits extending longitudinally of said frame, at all timesduring cutting, flexible feeding means includin advance and recedingportions disposable 'aterally in opposite directions from the oppositeends of said frame and when so extended controllin the angular relationof the frame to a wor ing face, and feed operating and cutter chaindriving means including a motor having a longitudinally-extending powershaft and. mechanism driven wholly from one end 7 thereof, 0 rative tofeed said machine in one direction relative to said advance portion at aplurality of speeds while said outter chain rotates m a single directionincluding a redetermined cutting feed and a faster eed or in an oppositedirection and relative to said receding portion at a plurality of speedsincluding a like predeter- 1 mined cutting speed and afaster speed.

9. A mining machine slidable on the mine bottom comprising a frame,cutting mecha nism thereon including a cutter bar rojectin from saidframe in fixed longitudinal re ation thereto and carrying a rotatablecutter chain providedwith elements operative to out and clear kerfs andmoving in orbits extending longitudinally of said frame, at all timesduring cutting flexible feeding means including advance and recedingportions disposable laterally in op osite directions from the oppositeends 0 said frame and when so extended controllin the angular relationof the frame to a wor face, and feedoperating and cutter chain drivingmeans including a motor having a longitudinal] extend power shaft andmechanism riven wlilfily from one end thereof operative to feed saidmachine in one direction relative to said advance portion at a pluralityof speeds including a predetermined cutting feed and a faster feed or inan opposite direction and relative to said receding portion at aplurality of speeds including a like predetermined cuttudmal relationthereto and earl-gin ting speed and a predetermined faster speed withoutreversing the direction of, rotation of said cutter chain. I

10. A mining machine slidable on the mine bottom comprising a frame,cutting mechanism thereon includ' a cutter bar projecting from saidframem fixed longia rotatable cutter chain provided wi e ementsoperative to cut and clear kcrfs and movin in orbits extendinglongitudinally of said frame at all times during cutting, flexiblefeeding means including advance and receding portions disposablelaterally in opposite directions from the opposite ends of, said frameand when so extended controlling, the angular relation of the frame to aworking face, means for idisposin said feeding (portions for right orleft han feeding, an feed operating and cutter chain rivin meansincluding a motor havin a longltudinall extending power shaft and meansconnecti le with the rear end of the latter and operative to feed saidmachine along either receding portion at a predetermined low speed whilesaid cutter chain is rotated in one direction and thereafter to feedsaid machine along either advance portion at the same speed whilepayingout its receding portion and continuing to drive said cutter chain inthe same direction.

11. The combination with a mining machine including a frame slidable ona mine bottom and havin a rigid longitudinally projectin cutter chaincarryin cutter bar, a motor ving a longitudinal y extending power shaft,and drivin connections between the rear end of said shaft and saidcutter chain, of means for feeding said machine including flexiblefeeding rtions extending from the opposite si es of said frame andfeedin o rating mechanism wholly actuatable Ey this rear end of saidmotor power shaft and operative to draw in either one of said portionsat a plurality of redetermined speeds without reversal of sai motor oralteration in the mode of immediate cooperation between said feedoperating mec anism and said ortions, said mechanism also havingprovision for drawing in one of said portions at a predetermined speedwhile permitting lengthenin of the other at substantially the same spee12. The combination with a mining machine including a frame slidable ona mine ottom and having a rigid longitudinally projecting cutter barprovided with orbitally moving cutting elements traversing their orbitsoppositely during the cutting of kerfs in opposite directions, of meansfor feediu said machine bodily laterally in either direction to eflectkerf cutting in either direction including flexible feeding portions ineither relation extending from the op site ends of said frame anddetermining its angular relation to the face, and feed operatingmechanism operative in either relation to draw in one of said portionsat a predetermined speed while rmitting lengthening of the other atsubstantially the same speed, said mechanism including a longitudinallydis sed motor having drivlng connections on y with its rear end and saidmechanism also having provision for drawing in either one of saidportions at a plurality of predetermined speeds without reversal of saidmotor or alteration in the immediate cooperation-of said feed operatingmechanism with such portions between such several drawings in.

13. A room and pillar mining machine slidable on the mine bottomcomprising a frame, cutting mechanism thereon including a rotatablecutter chain whose.orbit at all times is disposed longitudinally of theframe, a continuous flexible feeding member on said machine disposablelaterally in opposite directions in advance and receding portions fromthe opposite ends of sai frame, and feed operating and cutter chaindriving means operative to wind insaid advance portion and unwind saidreceding ortion to feed said machine at a predetermined low speed acrossa face as said cutter chain is rotated in one direction, said meansincluding a longitudinally arranged motor with but one end of whichpovger connections are rovided arid said means having provision orwinding in either of said portions at a plurality of redetermined s edsWithout reversing the direction of sai cutter chain or alteration in theimmediate coo eration of the feed operating means with said portions.

14. A room and pillar mining machine slidableon the mine bottom comrising a frame, cutting mechanism thereon lncludin a cutter bar rigidlypro'ecting from sai frame longitudinally of t e latter and carrying arotatable cutter chain traversing an elongated orbit whose majordimension is, throughout cutting, disposed lon itudinally of themachine, a continuous exible feeding member on said machine disposablelaterally in opposite directions in advance and receding portions fromthe opposite ends of said frame, and feed operating and cutter chaindriving means includin a friction controlling device operative to saidmachine in one direction relative to said advance portion at a pluralityof speeds or in an opposite direction and relative to said recedingportion ata plurality of speeds without varying the load on saidfriction device or reversal of the direction of cutter chain drive.

15. A room and pillar mining machine slidable on the mine bottomcomprising a frame, cutting mechanism thereon including a permanentlylongitudinally extending cutter bar carrying a rotatable cutter chain, acontinuous flexible feeding member on said frame inciuding advance andreceding portions disposable laterally in o posite directions from theopposite ends of said frame and controlling its angular relation to aworking face, means for disposing said feeding portions for right orleft hand feeding, and feed operating and cutter chain driving meansoperative to feed said machine along either receding portion at apredetermined low speed while said cutter chain is rotated in onedirection and thereafter to feed said machine along either advanceportion at the same speed while paying out its receding portion andcontinuing to drive said cutter chain in the same direction as duringthe preceding feed along the receding portion.

16. A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprisin a frame,cutting mechanism thereon inc uding a projecting cutter bar disposedlongitudinally of said frame throughout the cutting operations and arotatable cutter chain on said bar, flexible feeding and guiding meansfor feeding said bar to make a lateral cut in a face in either directionincluding advance and receding ortions disposable durin lateral cuttingin one direction laterally in opposite directions from the opposite endsof said frame and having provision whereby said portions may berespectively reversely arranged as receding and advance portions duringlateral cutting in the opposite direction, and feed operating saidcontrolling and cutter chain drivin means operative during lateralcutting in either direction to wind in the advance portion at apredetermined cutting speed and permit len receding portion to feed saimachine across a face as said cutter chain is rotated in one direction,said last mentioned means also having provision for at will winding inthe receding ortion at a predetermined cutting speed while said cutterchain rotates in the same direction as during the lateral cuttingoperation.

17; A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprisin a frame,cutting mechanism thereon inc uding a projectin cutter bar disposedlongitudinally of sai frame throughout the cutting operations and arotatable cutter chain on said bar, flexible hening of the feeding andguiding means for feeding said bar to make a lateral cut in a face ineither direction including advance and receding portions disposableduring lateral cutting in one direction laterally in o posite directionsfrom the opposite ends 0 said frame and having provision whereby saidportions ma be respectively reversely arranged as rece ing and advancingportions durin lateral cutting in the opposite direction, an feedoperating and controlling and cutter chain driving means operativeduring lateral cutting in either' direction to wind in the advanceportion at a predetermined cutting speed and permit lengthening of thereceding portion to feed said machine across a face as said cutter chainis rotated in one direction, said last mentioned means also havingprovision for at will winding in the receding portion at a likepredetermined speed or at another speed while said cutter chain rotatesin the same direction as during the lateral cutting operation. 7

18. A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprising a frame,cutting mechanism thereon includin a projecting cutter bar disposedlongitudinally of said frame throughout the cutting operations and a1'0- tatable cutter chain on said bar. flexible feeding and guidingmeans for feeding said bar to make a lateral cut in a face in eitherdirection including advance and receding portions disposable duringlateral cutting in one direction laterally in opposite directions fromthe opposite ends of said frame and having provision whereby saidportions may be respectively reversely disposed as receding andadvancing portions during lateral cutting in the opposite direction, andfeed operating and controlling and cutter chain driving means 0 erativeduring lateral cutting in either direction to wind in the ad-' vancinggortion at a predetermined cutting speed an permit lengthening of thereceding portion to feed'said machine across a face as said cutter chainis rotated in one direction, said last mentioned means also havingprovision for at will winding in the receding portion at a predeterminedcutting speed while said cutter chain rotates in the same direction asduring the lateral cutting operation or winding in said portion at afaster speed.

19. A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprisin a frame,cutting mechanism thereon inc uding a projecting cutter bar disposedlongitudinally of said frame throughout the cutting operations and arotatable cutter chain on said bar, flexible feeding and guiding meansfor feeding said bar to make a lateral cut in a face in either directionincluding advance and receding portions disposable during lateralcutting in one direction laterally in o posite directions from theopposite ends of said frame and having provision whereby said portionsmay be respectively reversely disposed as recedmg and advancing portionsduring lateral cutting in the opposite direction, and feed operating andcontrolling and cutter chain driving means 0 rative during lateralcutting in either direction to wind in the advancing portion at apredetermined cutting speed and permit lengthening of the recedingportion to feed said machine across a face as said cutter chain isrotated in one direction, said last mentioned means also havingprovision for at willwinding in the receding portion at the samepredetermined cutting speed while rotating said cutter chain in the samedirection as during the lateral cutting operation or winding in saidportion at a predetermined faster speed.

20. A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprising a frame,cutting mechanism thereon includin a projectin cutter bar disposedlongitudinally of sai frame throughout the cutting operations and a romportion at a predetermined cuttin tatable cutter chain on said bar,flexible feeding and guiding means for feeding said bar to make alateral cut in a face in either direction including advance and recedingportions disposable during lateral cuttin m either direction laterallyin opposite d1- rections from the opposite ends of said frame and havingprovision whereby during sumping at either rib the portion subse- Vently forming the receding portion may be substantially longitudinallyof the recedingside of the machine, and feed 0 rting and controlling andcutter chain riving means operative durin lateral cutting in eitherdirection to win in the advance speedand permit lengthenin of thereceding portion to feed said mac ine across a face as said cutter chainis rotated in one direction, said last mentioned means also havingrovision for at will winding in the receding rtion without interruptingor reversing the irection of said cutter chain and also in cludinggearing whereby said winding in speed may be changed.

-21. A mining machine slidable on a mine, bottom comprising a frame,cutting mechanism thereon including a projectin cutter bar disposedlongitudinally of said frame throughout the cutting operations and aretatable cutter chain on said bar, flexible feeding and guiding meansfor feeding said bar to make a lateral cut in a face in either directionincluding advance and receding portions disposable during lateral cuttinin one direction laterally in opposite directions from the opposite endsof said frame and having provision whereby said portions may berespectively disposed as receding and ad- 'vancing portions duringlateral cutting in the opposite direction. and feed operating andcontrolling and cutter chain driving means operative durin lateralcutting in either direction to win in the advance portion at apredetermined cuttinginspeed and permit len honing of the rece g portionto feed sai machine across the face as said cutter chain is rotated inone direction, said last'mentioned means also havi provision for at willwinding in said receding portion at a like predetermined cutting speedwithout interrupting or reversing the direction of said cutter c ain andalso including differeitiab reduction be h ed win mgmspeedmay c ang 22.In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on a mine bottom, cuttingmechanism thereon including a project' cutter bar disposedlongitudinally of sa i frame throughout cutting and rigidly connectedthereto,.flexible feeding and iding means on saidrframe for feeding saldbar to make a lateral cut in a face in either direction includingadvance and receding flexible. feeding portions disposable duringlateral cutting in one direction laterally in opposite directions fromopposite ends of said ame and having provision whereby said advancingand receding portions maybe respectively reversely arranged as recedingand advance portions, feed operating and controlling means operative toshorten and pergearing whereby said mit lengthening of the advance andrecedceding portion in either disposition thereof includingdifi'erential reduction gearing and selectively operable to drive saidfeed operating member at different s 23. In a mini machine, a machineframe slidable on a, mine bottom, cutting mechanism thereon including aprojecting cutter bar disposed longitudinally of said frame duringlateral cutting. and rigidly connected thereto, flexible feeding andguiding means on said frame for feeding said bar to make a lateral cutin a face in either direction including advance and receding flexiblefeeding portions disposable during cutting in one direction laterally inopposite directions from opposite ends of said frame and havingprovision whereby said advance and receding portions may be respectivelyreversely disposed as receding and advance portions during cutting inthe opposite direction, and feed operating and controlling "meansoperative to shorten and permit lengthening of the advance and recedingin either direction including a feed operating member acting on saidrecedin portion when the latter is disposed as cit er a recedin oradvance portion, a motor on said me for drivin said cutting mechanismand said fee operating means, and variable speed driving connectionsdriven by said motor and operable at will to rotate said feed operatingmember to draw in said receding portion in either disposition thereofincluding differential reduction gearing and selectively o rable todrive said feed operating member at different speeds and frictionmechanism further controlling the rotation of said feed operatingmember.

24. A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprising a frame,cutting mechanism thereon including a projecting cutter bar disposedlongitudinally of said frame and rigidly connected thereto throughoutthe cutting operations and a rotatable cutter chain on said bar,flexible feeding and guiding means for feeding said bar to make alateral cut in a face in either direction including advance and recedingportions disosable during transverse cutting from right to leftlaterally in opposite directions from the opposite ends of said frameand having rovision whereby said advance and receding portions may berespectively reversely dispose as receding and advance portions duringcutting from left to right or with a recedin portion extendingsubstantially longitu 'nally of the machin during sumping at either rib,and feed operating and controlling and cutter chain driving meansoperative during sumping at either rib to feed said machine along thereceding portion at a predetermined cutting speed While said cutterchain is rotated in one direction and thereafter during lateral cuttingto feed said machine along the advance portion at a predeterminedcuttting s eed while permitting lengthening of said receding portion tomaintain the opposite ends of said machine iii substantially balancedrelation and continuing to drive said cutter chain in the samedirection.

25. A. mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprising a frame,cutting mechanism thereon including a projecting cuttter bar disposedlongitudinally of sai frame and rigidly connected thereto throughout thecutting operations and a rotatable cutter chain on said bar, flexiblefeeding and guiding means for feeding said bar to make a lateral cut ina face in either direction including advance and receding portionsdisposable during lateral cutting in one direction laterally in oppositedirections from the opposite ends of said frame and having provisionwhereby said portions may be reversely disposed respectively as recedingand advance portions during lateral cuttting in machine laterally alongthe face and relative to said portions during lateral'cuttin and alsohaving provision whereby sai frame may be fed at will in one directionrelative to the advance portion at a plurality of s eeds includin aredetermined cutting fee and a faster fee or in an opposite directionand relative to the receding portion at a plurality of speeds includinga like pre' determined cutting feed and a faster feed. 26. A miningmachine slidable on a mine bottom comprising a frame, cutting mechanismthereon including a projecting cutter bar disposed longitudinally ofsaid frame and rigidly oonnnected thereto throughout the cuttingoperations and a rotatable cutter chain on said bar, flexiblefeeding andguiding means for feeding said bar to make a lateral cut in a face ineither direction including advance and receding portions disposabledurin lateral cutting in one direction laterally in opposite directionsfrom the opposite ends of said frame and having provision whereby saidportions may be reversely disposed respectively as receding and advanceportions during lateral cutting in the opposite direction, and feedoperating and controlling and cutter chain driving means operative ineither disposition of sai ortions and without reversing or interruptingthe drive of said cutter chain to feed said machine laterally along aface and relative to said portions during lateral cutting and also havinprovision whereby said frame may be fe at will in one direction relativeto the advance portion at a plurality of speeds including a redeterminedcutting feed and a faster feed or in an opposite direction and relativeto the receding ortion at a plurality of speeds including a li epredetermined cutting feed and a predetermined faster feed.

27 A mining machine slidable on a mine bottom comprising a frame,cutting mechanism thereon including a projectin cutter bar disposedlongitudinally of sai frame and rigidly connected thereto throughout thecutting operations and a rotatable cutter chain on said bar, flexiblefeeding and guiding means for feeding said bar to make a lateral cut ineither direction along a face including advance and receding portionsdisposable during lateral cutting in one direction laterally in oppositedirections from the opposite ends of said frame, means for reverselydisposing said feeding portions respectively as receding and advanceportions for lateral cutting in the opposite direction includinmechanism whereby each may be extends in the same direction as beforebut

